Master’s Degree in Conservation

The Master’s Programme started in 2006, being the first degree programme in the cultural field to have the rights to offer Master’s studies. The extent of the Master’s Programme is 60 credit points, the duration two years, and the intake is every third year. Before applying for the Master's Degree, the student is expected to have a Bachelor's Degree in Conservation.

The Master’s Programme represents a further development in the formal education of conservators in Finland. Recent changes in the status of conservation profession and the role of conservators within the heritage sector are naturally taken into account. The programme is designed to allow an individual student to develop her/his expertise in a particular area during studies.

The degree includes methodological studies, advanced-level professional studies and a Master's Thesis. The professional studies give a good professional and applied theoretical knowledge as well as good skills for development and problem solving in the field of the conservation. The Master's Thesis (30 credit points) is an extensive development or research project that consists of design and research in a chosen study field. The subjects of the thesis are, in most cases, chosen from working life. The Thesis is the most important work that deepens and broadens the student’s professional skills and knowledge in conservation in order to be able to solve complex conservation problems and to save and preserve our cultural heritage.

After successfully completing his or her studies, the graduate should have the ability to solve complex problems and function effectively in a variety of contexts in a selected field of specialisation.